Fire-stream distorter.



H. J. HOPKINS.

FIRE STREAM DISTORTBR. APPLIOATIQN FILED MAY 27, 1914.

1,1 32,935 I Patented Mar. 23, 1915 4 ,e A 6 r 7 (P I n! H I j 1 J (y .98 z 10 f a I,

--,90-g=; 1 I Z? 16 5g I .gii 3E -1 I r? l HH 0 2L. V0 2.2; I!" r 1 Ii HWITINESSES: I f i? I y 3 f??? @129 THE NORRIS PETERS C0,. PHOTO-LITHOuWASHiNCTDN. D. C.

HUBERT J. HOPKINS, OF SAN IFRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FIRE-STREAM DIS'IORTEB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented M nse, 1915.

Application filed May 27, 1914. Serial N 0. 841,271.

To all 2071 cm it may concern Be it known that I, HUBERT J. HorKrNs, acitizen of the United States, residlng 1n the city and county of SanFrancisco and State of California, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Fire-Stream Distorters, of which the following 1s aspecification.

This invention relates to a fire stream d1storter or director. 7

- run at a moments notice, as the nozzle, when released, especiallywhere high pressure is employed, 1s practicallv as destructive to -lifeand limb as a falling wall.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a nozzle,which is so constructed that the water passing through the nozzle may bedeflected or diverted through an annular discharge opening at a momentsnotice in such a manner as to render the nozzle absolutely harmless. The

firemen are thus free to drop the hose and run without danger of beingstruck by the nozzle. r

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a smallportion of the water passing through the nozzle may be allowed to escapelaterally in such a manner as to partly spray the men and at the sametime throw out a stream of water in all directions between themen andthe fire. A great advantage is thus gained,as the firemen are able toapply the water directly upon a fire instead of being obliged to standat a great distance. i

Further objects will hereinafter appear. The invention consists of theparts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter morefully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- 1 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the nozzle. Fig.213 a central vertical section through same. Fig. 3 is a cross sectionon line mm, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 'A indicates the main casing of a fire hosenozzle; 2 the nozzle proper; and 3 the valve which may be adjusted andoperated in any suitable manner. The inner end of the nozzle proper isprovided with a seat 4: for the valve and an exterior annular flange5which is grooved, as at 6, to receive a gasket 7. Formed integral withthe flange 5, or connected to the same by ribs 8, is an exteriorlythreaded section 9, and turnably mounted on said threaded section is aninteriorly threaded, adjusting sleeve 10 which forms one part of acoupling hereinafter to be described.

Formed interior of the-main casing is an annular seat 10 which isadapted to form a connection betweenthe main VtllWE seat 4 and thecasing, while the end of the cas ing engages with and seats upon thegasket 7. An interior pressure; chamber 1-1 is formed between theannular seat in the easing and the exterior ofthe casing and inlet ports12 are provided to admit water into the pressure chamber. v

The main coupling, previously referred to, by which the nozzle proper issecured to the main casing is constructed as follows:

Formed exterior on the casing is a pair of lugs 13 and 1 1, andladaptedto project into engagement with the lug 13 is a projecting lug 15; lug15 being secured upon the lower end of a coupling sleeve 16, upon whichsleeve 10 is turnably mounted, and flanges 17 and 18 forming a couplingbetween the two members- T he contacting faces between the lugs 13 and15 are angularlv disposed, as indicated at-19. and adapted to beinserted between the other side of lug 1 5 and lug 14 is a block 20which is carriedsbv a leaf spring 21, which in turn is secured, as at22, upon the exterior of thecasing. The other side ofthe casing issimilarly provided with a lug 13*, against which a lug 15 is adapted tocontact. The block 20, together with't'he spring 21, is held in thelocked position between the lugs 14and 15 by means of a ring-23 which isslida'bly to turn the adjusting sleeve 10 by such means as a spanner,wrench, or the, like.

This permits the nozzle to move outwardly,

1 with relation to the main casing, 21 sutlicient dlstance to permit theescape of a smallportion'of the water between the gasket 7 and the endof the casing. Anannular discharge is thus formed around the nozzle,which'will form a constant sprayor sheet of water in front of thefiremen." The fireblock 20. This permits the spring 21 to lift the blockout of engagement with the lugs 14: and 15 and will consequently permitthe lug 15 to free itself, with relation to the lug 13, the same takingplace on the opposite side of the casing. The nozzle thus released willimmediately slide out upon the main casing until the main valve seat 4:closes upon the valve. The discharge of water through the nozzle is thuscompletely cut off and all the water is permitted "to escape through theannular opening thus formed and the nozzle is rendered entirely harmlessand may be instantly dropped. The danger connected with the nozzles nowin use is entirely eliminated and the firemen may run away without beingin danger ,of the nozzle.

The pressure chamber, formed between the annular seat 10 and the-end ofthe casing, provides a means by which the nozzle can be moved outwardlyupon the casing.

A nozzle constructed as here shown is simple in construction and as faras outward appearances are concerned is practically similar to thestandard nozzles now employed. The releasing mechanism shown inconnection with the nozzle coupling is very simple and may be quicklyoperated.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions, andminor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specificdesign and construction here shown.

, Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In combination with a nozzle having an'interiorseat and a valve engageable with said seat, an annular flange projectingoutwardly from the nozzle periphery and having a gasket on its underface, an annular seat at the base of the valve seat spaced from thegasketand surrounded the latter, a casing having a chamber the innerwall of which engages the annular seat and the outer wall ofwhichengages the gasket, the inner wall of the chamber having inlet ports, aneXteriorly threaded member connected to said nozzle, a sleeve threadedinto engagement with the member, a coupling sleeve connected to thethreaded sleeve, and means to releasably connect the coupling sleeve tothe casing.

7 2. In combination with a nozzle having an interior seat, and a valveengageable with said seat, an annular flange projecting outwardly fromthe nozzle'periphery and having a gasket on its under face, an annularseat at the base of the valve seat spaced from the gasket and surroundedby the latter, a casing having a. chamber the inner wall of whichongagesthe annular seat and the outer wall of which engages the gasket, theinner wall of the chamber having inlet ports, an exteriorly threadedmember connected to said nozzle, a sleeve threaded into engagement withthe member, a coupling sleeve connected to the threaded sleeve, a pairof lugs on the casing having an angular space therebetween, an angularlug on the coupling sleeve receivable in the space between the pair oflugs and engaging one of the latter, a block receivable in the spacebetween the pair of lugs and engaging the lug of the coupling sleeve andthe other lug of the pair of lugs, fiat spring connecting the block tothe casing, and a ring slidable on the casing and engaged over thespring to hold the latter and theblock in operative position.

3. In combination with a nozzle having an interior seat and a valveengageable in said seat, a flange projecting outwardly from the nozzleperiphery, an inner seat on the nozzle, an outer seat on the flange, acasing having chamber the outer end of which is open and the side wallsof which are engageable with said inner and outer seats, said chamberhaving communication on its inner side with the interior of the casing,and means to adjust the casing relative to said inner and outer seats.

4. In combination with a nozzle, and a valve to cut off the longitudinaldischarge of water through the nozzle, a member cooperating with thenozzle to allow of lateral escape of water, said member slidablysupporting the nozzle and rigidly supporting the valve, and releasablemeans to hold the nozzle against sliding movement, said releasable meansupon release thereof allowing the nozzle to instantaneously move to aposition to enable the valve to cut-ofi the longitudinal discharge ofwater.

5. In combination with a supporting member, a nozzle slidable on saidmember, a valve connected to said member to close the longitudinaldischarge of the nozzle, said nozzle'and member having a lateral waterdischarge therebetween, and releasable means to hold the nozzle againstsliding movement and which when released allows the nozzle toinstantaneously move to a position to engage the valve and to open thelateral discharge.

6. In combination with a supporting memher, a nozzle slidable on saidmember, a valve connected to said member to close the longitudinaldischarge of the nozzle, said nozzle and member having a lateral waterdischarge therebetween, and releasable means to hold the nozzle againstsliding movement and which when released allows the nozzle toinstantaneously move to a position to engage the valve and to open thelateral discharge, and means independent of the releasable means toallow the nozzle to be moved so as to allow of regular egress 10 of thewater through the lateral discharge;

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing r Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,by addressing the commissioner of Iatents,

Washington, D. 05 r

